The Black Country has been identified by the government as one of seven strategic industrial
clusters in the UK eligible to receive funding to accelerate the transition to net zero while creating
local jobs and economic opportunities.
This event will summarise the provisional plans to secure and deploy this funding, inviting
feedback and input from the Black Country business community, particularly manufacturers and
energy-intense businesses.
The Black Country Industrial Cluster is responsible for carbon emissions of 1.4 M t CO 2 a year.
The initial study for Repowering the Black Country has identified that this figure will rise to
2.3MtCO 2 by 2030 if we do nothing, but that a focused regional effort could reduce emissions to
net zero while creating an additional 20,000 jobs and adding almost £5bn to Black Country GVA.
The key elements of the plan are likely to include a new approach to energy infrastructure
development, focused on zero-carbon industrial parks; and much wider access to energy
efficiency programmes designed specifically to meet the needs of Black Country businesses. We
are also exploring tailored financial mechanisms and more collaborative working relationships
with energy network providers as well as a proactive approach to securing inward investment in
the region.
The target audience is owners and senior managers of manufacturing and other energy intense
businesses (e.g. hotels, leisure centres) across the Black Country. It is also relevant to landlords
and owners of industrial estates and business parks.
Agenda:
08:30 - 08:40 Welcome & Introduction - Hosts / Matthew Rhodes
08:40 - 09:00 Repowering the Black Country - Roadmap Project Overview - Matthew Rhodes, BCLEP
09:00 - 09:20 What a zero carbon generation hub might look like - Mark Johnson, Kew Technology Ltd
09:20 - 09:40 Low carbon process optimisation strategy for the manufacturing sector - Nersi Salehi, Pro Enviro
09:40 - 10:00 New government support for industrial energy efficiency - the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund - Lily Tozer, BEIS
10:00 - 10:30 Q&A and Panel Discussion - Speakers chaired by Matthew Rhodes
10:30 - 11:00 Networking & Close
Speakers:
Matthew Rhodes - BCLEP
Mark Johnson - Kew Technologies
Nersi Salehi - Pro Enviro
Lily Tozer - BEIS